No woman likes pain with her ponytail, and Jessica Frandson knows this as well as anyone.

After becoming a mom and wearing constant ponytails with hair ties that often hurt her head, she created the Twistband, "a soft piece of elastic material to hold back any type of hair," according to the company's press release.

"It's something for all ages, and you know women, when they find something they love, they love to share it with others," Frandson said in a phone interview.

She previously owned Inkwells Paperie in Corona del Mar and used her knowledge from that business, plus her connections to ribbon materials, to develop the product.

"It's a simple luxury that works," Frandson said.

Some of the hair ties have messages on them, similar to the Live Strong bracelets. They come in all kinds of colors and prints. Each one costs $2 and sets of three range from $5 to $8; sets of six are $10.

They have quite the following among A-listers such as Gwyneth Paltrow, former local Kristin Cavalari and Kendall Jenner, according to the company's website.

Newport Beach-based Twistband recently launched a monthly subscription, as well. Subscriptions vary (there's the three month club for $30, six month club for $60 and 12 month club for $110) and depending on the subscription, a certain number of Twistbands are shipped to the subscriber each month.

The company also launched the Skinny Hair Ties, half the size of the original but with the same benefits, and Stretchy Shoelaces, laces that flex so there's no retying.

The bands are sold on the website, thetwistband.com, and in various boutiques such as Kitson and Fred Segal.

Deborah Eden Tull, a meditation and mindfulness teacher, will run the workshop, which costs $95 for adults and includes lunch.

Areas that will be covered include "personal sustainability, balance, mindfulness, Zen time management, and how to let go of energy drains," according to a news release. Participants will meditate, write, do awareness exercises and group discussions.

And now RA Sushi is making it even harder to resist sushi and cocktails with its Skinny Pairing, a low-calorie option for those looking to start the new year off right.

Through Feb. 28 the restaurant is pairing its Hitokuchi sashimi and shrimp plate with one skinny cocktail for $18. The sashimi and shrimp plate, at less than 200 calories, offers 14 bite-size pieces of fresh tuna, yellowtail and salmon sashimi, plus shrimp, that are garnished with micro greens, according to news release. Skinny cocktails, at less than 160 calories each, include the Colada-teenie, a mix of SKYY coconut and pineapple vodka, agave nectar and fruit juices; Blueberry Fizz, with Pama and Stoli Blueberi, freshly muddled blueberries, raspberries and tart citrus; and the Skinny Cucumberita, with Patron Silver tequila, Citronage and agave nectar muddled together with fresh cucumber slices and lime.

The show highlights the music of Duke Ellington "through the creative integration of live music, captivating video projections, live narration and numerous audience participation segments," according to a news release.

JazzReach is a New York organization that works to educate people about jazz and build their appreciation of the music. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Tickets are $17 and a family pack of four or more are $12 apiece.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a limited edition Lunar New Year Pilgrim Clutch at Roger Vivier South Coast Plaza from Feb. 10 to 24.

The clutch comes in two shades of red with a red strass buckle created solely for Rogier Vivier South Coast Plaza, according to a news release. The clutch, a new take on the Roger Vivier classic, costs $1,725.